Trail Running Adventures: It’s More Than Just Running
Cristina and I, Pablo, share a deep passion for these trail running adventures. This isn’t just a business for us; it’s our life, our family. Cristina is the unsung hero, the one who makes everything happen behind the scenes. Kristene Jordan, who ran with us, put it perfectly: Cristina handles all the logistics and communication to get you to your adventure. She plans the accommodations, arranges dinners, and even pops up as course support along the way. She’s simply amazing, always there, often with a fresh bottle of water or a much-needed smile when you think you can’t take another step.
Then there’s me. I’m equal parts historian, entertainer, storyteller, and guide. I’m often barefoot, too! Each morning, I’ll sketch out our planned run, sometimes with hand-drawn notes from a tattered notebook, sometimes just in the dirt, right there on the ground. It’s about getting real, you know? It’s about understanding the terrain, feeling it under your feet before we even start. And every evening, we gather for incredible meals at local restaurants. All the day’s challenges, the exhaustion, they just melt away. What’s left are those fantastic memories you hope to hold onto forever. That’s the NomaTrails way, building bonds over shared sweat and amazing food.
Please contact us if you have any question.
Presenting the NomaTrails Tribe Running Adventures Club
January 1, 2018 by Pablo Rodriguez
Destination Marathons, Running Vacations
The NomaTrails Tribe is a family of adventure runners.
Or, to put it another way, everyone who has ever taken part in one of our trail running adventures in Costa Rica, Morocco, Sicily, or here in Catalonia (running the Costa Brava). We’re more than just a group; we’re a community of kindred spirits. We’re people who understand that running isn’t just about speed or distance, it’s about connecting with a place and its people.
Adventure Runners: More than just miles on the Trail Running Adventures
Back in 2011, when Cristina and I started this company, I began to realize something profound. Those joining us were connected, deeply connected. It was a bond I only truly started to understand after our runs in Costa Rica and Morocco. We click. We share a drive for exploration, a certain “Tarannà” as we say here in Girona – a unique way of being, of living. We use running not as a way to improve our fitness or get slim, but purely as a means of transportation, an exploration like our ancestors did. Our goal is to traverse the territory, to really experience it, like only runners can.
That’s why I felt we needed a name, a name to glue us together, to keep that connection alive. The NomaTrails Tribe is the name of our family. It’s for people like you, who understand that a run isn’t just about the finish line, but about the journey, the people, the unexpected. As Pablo Rodriguez, I can tell you, these are memories and stories you’ll tell your grandkids. These are stories that will change you, transform you. So, be careful, because you will go back home changed. We’ve seen marriages saved, new friendships forged, and perspectives shifted. It’s powerful stuff.
Our Trail Running Adventures in Costa Brava
The Costa Brava is where it all started for us. We’ve spent 12 years running these trails, getting to know every hidden cove, every local face, every sunrise over the Mediterranean. Jordan Marchewka and his wife called their Costa Brava trip “hands down the best vacation we have ever been on.” That just makes my heart swell, knowing we created that for them.
Joaquin Campos told me, humorously, that by the second day, you realize there’s always “more than ‘only 4K left’.” I remember his laugh as he said it, a mix of exhaustion and pure joy. It’s a challenge, yes, but it’s always worth it, especially when you push past what you thought were your limits. Leah Plumridge, who ran with us back in 2012, still calls it one of their favorite trips. She loved the mix of accommodations, from a converted monastery overlooking the sea to a farmhouse nestled in rolling hills, and the Michelin-starred meals. It’s about experiencing the local flavor, not just the trails.
Dan Kearns described running from tiny Mediterranean town to tiny town, dipping into the azure sea, then climbing back into the forested hills. He said it’s an impossible experience to find on your own, and that traveling on foot reveals so much more of the culture. He was heartened to learn these places still exist, these untouched corners that we open up to you. Nicky Eckstein shared her “incredible experience” of running 7 days through beautiful countryside and dramatic coastlines, staying in fabulous hotels. She highlighted how I adapted routes to suit everyone’s strengths and weaknesses. It’s about making it work for everyone in the Tribe, no matter your pace, ensuring everyone feels challenged but supported.
Unforgettable Trail Running Adventures in Morocco
Morocco, oh, Morocco. It’s where our philosophy truly comes to life. We run 15-16 miles a day, but it’s really about the people, the experience. Many of my friends, like Rick Ostroff, still get tears in their eyes when we talk about the experiences we shared there. Rick called his Morocco trip epic, and gave a special shout-out to Abdu, our local guide, calling him “the king of Morocco and one of the best guides you’ll meet in the world.” Abdu truly is a force of nature, a friend, a brother.
Imagine waking up at 3 AM in the desert, running behind Abdu for two hours in the sand. Your feet sink, you slide, you pull them out, inching closer to the top of a dune. Then you stop, and Abdu shows you the stars, every single one, so clear you feel like you can touch them. After two hours of running and walking, your legs burning, you’re ready to watch the most beautiful sunrise, painting the dunes in a thousand colors. We went five and a half hours in the opposite direction from where the tourist buses go, deep into the Atlas Mountains. That’s where we found this incredible place, where people live like they did 500 years ago. It’s like time traveling to another century. We met the most wonderful human beings, people who speak a language I’ve been trying to learn for nine years – Berber, and still I only get a few words right.
One day, we stumbled upon a family in a deep canyon. A 12-year-old girl, with a beautiful, open face, immediately ran to find wood, made a fire for us, and offered us tea. Our kids, she just puts them to shame! That’s the kind of connection we make, simple, pure hospitality. Oxana Cherevchenko, who ran the Atlas to Sahara, said it was “the best time of my life – an adventure like no other.” She found it challenging, yes, “sinking in sand to your calf,” but “wild, exhilarating and yes, liberating.” Rachel Holland, who loved her Moroccan adventure, even recalls dancing on the beach to a reggae band at a couscous festival! These are the moments you can’t plan, the moments that redefine what a trail running adventure truly is.
Challenging Trail Running Adventures in Costa Rica
Costa Rica is another place that truly embodies the spirit of the NomaTrails Tribe. It’s where the jungle meets your feet, where every step is an immersion into a world bursting with life. Minna Kaarni, who joined our Costa Rica expedition, said Cristina and I were “the best hosts ever!” She cried when the trip ended too soon, vowing to come back. That raw emotion, that’s what we aim for.
Steve Breese completed a 96.3-mile South Pacific Jungle expedition with us. He called it “truly an amazing experience” and warned future participants to “train hard,” but promised they’d be rewarded with spectacular sights and friendly locals. Holly Chase, from the same trip, said it was “incredibly difficult (physically and mentally) but, because of that, also extremely rewarding. Only another 5k… (😅).” That shared struggle creates an incredible bond.
Renée Lajoie summed it up perfectly: “We saw places no tourists will ever see.” She talked about lunch stops in the middle of the jungle at a local’s house, with fresh coffee from a coffee farm, brewed right in front of us. She called our crew “a bunch of legends” and stressed that the best part is the long-lasting friendships. She even joked that some might call it “once in a lifetime,” but not her, because she plans to experience more NomaTrails adventures! David Yon remembered Pablo and Sergio taking them to hidden waterfalls they’d never have found alone, a secret reward for pushing through the humidity. Jody Yoken called her Costa Rica trip “a trip of a lifetime,” praising the cohesive group of runners who helped each other through the literal thick of the rainforest, scrambling over roots and through muddy streams. This is what we mean by adventure runners – people who push their limits and build bonds that last a lifetime.
Exploring Sicily: Our Newest Trail Running Adventures
Our newest addition to the NomaTrails family is Sicily, and it’s already stealing hearts. Pasquale, our local guide there, helped us craft a route that takes you from the sea, through rural Sicily, past mountain villages, and into the high valleys, before descending back to the coast. We might even pass through Isnello, a village where you can see the sea from almost anywhere, then onward towards Cefalù, always with that incredible view of the island’s raw beauty.
Arthur Francis, on his first running holiday, admitted he was apprehensive before arriving. But meeting Pascal, our local co-guide, and me, all his fears vanished. He found our passion “invigorating, intoxicating, and motivating.” He praised the meticulously planned trails, the fantastic accommodations, and the little surprises we threw in along the way, like that impromptu swim in a secluded cove. He urged everyone to “enjoy the trails, coffee, food, wine, and dips in the sea, and leave the rest to these guys!”
Rachel Holland, a veteran who loved her Moroccan trip, jumped at the chance to join our first Sicilian adventure. She said Pascal and I truly “captured the essence of Italy.” We ran through narrow cobbled streets, along coastlines with huge views, swam in crystal-clear waters, and watched stunning sunsets. Even when thunderstorms tried to spoil our plans, we always had enjoyable alternatives, like exploring an ancient church or a quiet village. Rachel fondly recalled moments of solitude in a church, and then dancing on the beach to a reggae band at a couscous festival. That’s Sicily – a blend of history, culture, and pure joy on the trails, all while pushing your physical boundaries.
Getting us back together: The NomaTrails Tribe
Runners somewhere in the Pyrenees, enjoying their Trail Running Adventures.
This is how we are going to do it. We want to keep this amazing NomaTrails Tribe connected, long after the last step of your trail running adventure. The friendships formed on these trips are a big part of the magic, and we want them to last.
NomaTrails Tribe Community & Connection
Private Facebook group:
Join the group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/409276536308884/
Join the NomaTrails Tribe private Facebook group. It’s a place for sharing memories, planning future runs, and staying in touch with your fellow adventurers.
Monthly newsletter:
NomaTrails Guide Pablo Rodriguez with a group about to start their 7-day adventure by the Mediterranean Sea.
Remember you can only subscribe if you’ve run one adventure with us. It’s our way of making sure you’re truly part of the family. We’ll share updates, new destinations, and maybe even some exclusive offers.
Nominations: You can get a 50 USD discount, learn how here.
Write in our blog
Traversing Atlas Mountains in Morocco during a Trail Running Adventure.
You can write about your experience with us. We love hearing your stories, your challenges, your triumphs. It’s what keeps the spirit of the NomaTrails Tribe alive, sharing those personal moments and the profound impact these trail running adventures have on you.
Also
T-shirts: One per each adventure, one for the NomaTrails Tribe. We will have some designs soon, and you will choose. Whatever you want to add to this list, anything really, we are desperate to hear your ideas. This is a story to be written, let us know what you are up to. We’re always looking for new ways to keep our Tribe connected.
